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HVAC help needed

TangoSierraTangoSierra Member Posts: 1,248 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited August 2017 in General Discussion
I have a rental unit that has been vacant for over 30 days. thermostat on the AC unit is turned up to 80. Got an electric bill for $278.00 dollars with AC up and no lights on. Meter appears to be right, so I check all of the inside unit that I can and hear a humming sound coming from inside the unit. Unit is plugged into outlet with a regular electrical plug, so I pull it. Humming stops; plug in, humming starts. Take off the panels and the sound seems to be coming from a blower motor unit with attached circuit board and capacitor. Blower seems to turn but not real freely but is not locked up.

Anyone have any ideas as to what the problem could be and a solution? Any and all ideas and thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Comments

  • auctionplugauctionplug Member Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have you tried to replace the capacitor?
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  • TerantTerant Member Posts: 80 ✭
    edited November -1
    I would first look at the start capacitor. It will probably look "swollen" if its bad.
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  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,240 ******
    edited November -1
    I would not leave it plugged in either,until fixed. Fire hazard,overheat.
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  • mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,291 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Unless compressor was coming on and cycling off I wouldn't think even a bad indoor fan motor would draw that kind of electric.

    That T stat isn't also for heat is it!
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
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  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    Is it on a well too? Why have the AC on at all?
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  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,393 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is it a window unit?If so its probably better to replace than repair it.
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  • serfserf Member Posts: 9,217 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by auctionplug
    Have you tried to replace the capacitor?








    second that bad run capacitor

    serf
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  • TangoSierraTangoSierra Member Posts: 1,248 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The unit is a gas fired heat/ac split system. Condensing unit is on the roof. Other half is in a closet inside. Thermostat has system heat/off/cool switch and fan run/off/auto switch. Humming seems to be coming from the motor that runs the blower fan. Capacitor looks and feels normal. Even with the system switch on the thermostat in the off position, the unit hums as long as there is power to it. [?]
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  • mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,291 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's humming probably cause it don't know the words.

    As stated I wouldn't leave it on, but if the indoor fan is not coming on for whatever reason the compressor could freeze up. A capacitor is a cheap trial and error if you don't know how to use a meter to trace the problem.

    Set at 80 you really wouldn't think you have the AC coming on that much depending on your location.

    Using a lot of electricity for an empty place that is for sure.

    quote:Originally posted by TangoSierra
    The unit is a gas fired heat/ac split system. Condensing unit is on the roof. Other half is in a closet inside. Thermostat has system heat/off/cool switch and fan run/off/auto switch. Humming seems to be coming from the motor that runs the blower fan. Capacitor looks and feels normal. Even with the system switch on the thermostat in the off position, the unit hums as long as there is power to it. [?]
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
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  • pistoljimpistoljim Member Posts: 967 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Humming noise could be coming from the transformer. If you have an amp meter, clamp it around the line voltage wire to see if it drawing any amps.
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  • festusfestus Member Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    [img][/img]quote:Originally posted by TangoSierra
    The unit is a gas fired heat/ac split system. Condensing unit is on the roof. Other half is in a closet inside. Thermostat has systemheat/off/cool switch and fan run/off/auto switch. Humming seems to be coming from the motor that runs the blower fan. Capacitor looks and feels normal. Even with the system switch on the thermostat in the off position, the unit hums as long as there is power to it. [?]

    With system in off position and fan switch in auto or off, and you still hear humming I would check transformer. If humming with system off and fan in the on position I would check the capacitor or fan motor.
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  • festusfestus Member Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    With the system off and fan switch in the on position can you hear the blower turning?
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